India today made a strong pitch for enhanced cooperation between BRICS nations on environment issues and advocated setting up of a steering committee for sharing technologies and best practices, ahead of the crucial climate conference in Paris later this year.
India will ensure peoples' participation in mitigating climate change and launch a host of green campaigns to generate awareness to help people bring about changes in their lifestyles, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said while addressing the first meeting BRICS Environment Ministers in here.
"The success of BRICS Environment Ministers' Meeting lies in its decision to launch a cooperation on environmental issues by setting up a steering committee to coordinate efforts and sharing of technologies and best practices.
"The first meeting of environment ministers of BRICS countries is a major initiative depicting the seriousness attached to various issues related to environment," he said.
Javadekar said that there are many issues related to water, air, industrial pollution, waste management and sewerage treatment which can be effectively tackled by joint efforts among the BRICS countries which comprise of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
The summit comes before the UN climate conference which is scheduled to take place in Paris from November 30 to December 11 this year which is tasked with finalising a global agreement designed to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had asserted that India cannot be forced to "follow" parameters laid down by the developed nations on climate change.
Javadekar said that peoples' participation in mitigating climate change will ensured as it will create more awareness, make people a partner and ultimately lead to lifestyle changes, which is the need of the hour.
"India will launch 'Fresh air, my birth right', 'Save Water, Save Energy', 'Grow More Plants' and 'Urban green' and such other campaigns for mass awakening and ensuring peoples' participation.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi is confident that India will lead by example in its effort to combat climate change as Indian lifestyle is simple, stresses on need-based consumption and uses less energy," the Minister said.
